A total investment of $6.2 million to foster and promote clinical research in Québec
San Diego (California) June 20, 2017—During the recent BIO International Convention, Gaétan Barrette, Minister of Health and Social Services, announced that the Québec government will be contributing $5.3 million to the early clinical research initiative introduced by Montréal InVivo and its members to increase the benefits of clinical research on a provincial level. Another $900,000 will be invested by certain pharmaceutical companies (Abbvie, GSK, Pfizer, and Servier) for a total investment of more than CAN$6 million.
“The Government of Québec is proud to support the implementation of this important initiative, which will provide Québec with a coordination centre through which early stage research projects awarded by pharmaceutical companies can be assigned to university hospital centres. Such projects will foster the growth of clinical research and the development of Québec’s life sciences industry while giving Québec patients access to promising new treatments in development,” states Gaétan Barrette, Minister of Health and Social Services.
“These sizeable investments, which come from both public and private sources, are the result of the active cooperation and mobilization of all of the industry’s stakeholders, who are well aware of the importance of quickly ensuring that Québec is viewed as a globally recognized centre for initiating, designing, conducting, and analyzing early clinical research trials”, states Diane Gosselin, President and CEO of CQDM, which is supporting the project.
Over the past few weeks, the initiative took an additional step towards its official launch by creating its brand image and a virtual presence. As a result, the ESCT has become CATALIS; one of its objectives is to respond to the need its partners have to centralize the mobilization and coordination efforts necessary to meeting ambitious goals.
Within the next five years, CATALIS expects to double the number of subjects as well as the amounts invested in early stage clinical trials by both the pharmaceutical industry and private health technology companies. The entire Québec clinical research ecosystem is focusing on these significant goals.
“I wish to commend the Quebec government, the Montreal inVivo Team, the various expert panels as well as all the life sciences cluster players for their outstanding consultation work which made CATALIS possible,” said Paul Lirette, President, Canada Pharmaceuticals, GSK—whose contribution will amount to $500,000. “GSK wants to help make Quebec an innovation hub allowing its investigators to position themselves upstream of global clinical research.”
“Montreal and Quebec, with its hospital-based clinical research units and its number of specialized contract research organisations, is one of the top place in North America for early clinical research. We celebrate today the creation of CATALIS and Servier Canada is committed to support and to contribute to the success of this joint initiative between the Quebec government and the Industry” underlined Frederic Fasano, CEO of Servier Canada.
‘’Pfizer is pleased to contribute to the integration of clinical research capabilities in Quebec to provide patients with early access to innovative healthcare“, said John Helou, President, Pfizer Canada Inc.
“We are thrilled to be a part of this important partnership. Quebec is a key location for our clinical research activities with its strong and internationally known base of universities, hospitals and research centers. For AbbVie, Canada is the second biggest hub for clinical research globally,” said Stéphane Lassignardie, General Manager, AbbVie Canada.
About CATALIS
CATALIS is the end result of the ESCT initiative, an extensive project introduced by Montréal InVivo and its members to ensure that Québec’s clinical research industry is recognized on a global scale by favouring private investments and maximizing human, economic, and social benefits. Now supported by CQDM, this project is funded by the Québec government ($5.3 million) and by four pharmaceutical companies: Abbvie, GSK, Pfizer, and Servier ($900,000).
Backed by these partners and supported by a critical mass of Québec’s public and private clinical research organizations, CATALIS has three objectives: making Québec an internationally recognized centre for initiating, designing, conducting, and analyzing early stage clinical trials, providing Québec patients access to innovative interventions, and assisting in the successful development of promising new drugs and health technology.
For more information about this major project, go to www.catalisquebec.com.
About AbbVie Canada
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories. The company’s mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world’s most complex and serious diseases. Together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pharmacyclics, AbbVie employs more than 29,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 175 countries. For further information on the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit www.abbvie.ca and www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbviecanada on Twitter.
About GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (GSK)
One of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – GSK is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information, please visit www.ca.gsk.com.
About Pfizer Canada
Pfizer Canada Inc. is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc., one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies. Our diversified health care portfolio includes some of the world’s best known and most prescribed medicines, vaccines and consumer health products. Every day, Pfizer Canada employees work to bring therapies to patients that significantly improve patients’ lives. We apply science and our global resources to improve the health and well-being of Canadians at every stage of life. Our commitment is reflected in everything we do, from our disease awareness initiatives to our community partnerships. To learn more about Pfizer Canada, visit pfizer.ca or you can follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/PfizerCA) or Facebook (facebook.com/Pfizer.Canada)
About Servier Canada
Servier Canada Inc. is an affiliate of the independent French Servier Group. Its mission is to provide the Canadian medical community and its patients innovative therapeutic solutions. As such, Servier Canada collaborates with various players in the healthcare system including researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators. In addition to these research partners, the Canadian International Center for Therapeutic Research (ICTR) is dedicated to clinical development with more than 50 studies conducted throughout Canada over the last 10 years. More information is available at www.servier.ca
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Information
Diane Gosselin
President and CEO of CQDM (project supporter)
Member of the CATALIS Executive Committee
7140, rue Albert-Einstein, suite 100, Montréal (Québec) H4S 2C1
